September 2018
Condo landscaping schedules, out of necessity, follow the seasons. Plantings, tree trimming, seeding and cleanup of leaves are all determined by time of year.
Condo boards should have a general understanding of landscaping maintenance and a capable contractor to work with them.
Sure Green Landscaping offers year round landscaping services. The company’s owner, Frank Medeiros, explains what condo landscaping is necessary during each season.
Spring
As we emerge from winter everything begins to grow; grass, flowers and leaves. Birds, bugs and bees, all more active in the spring, should also be considered.
Seeds require sunshine, warm temperatures and water. May is the time to lay down new seed. June may be too late for best results.
Spring is the time to clear debris from lawns and gardens so plants and grass are not hidden from the sun. By June, tree leaves begin to grow and can keep sun from reaching many plants. Having a property clean and raked by mid-April allows time for fertilizer, planting and mulching.
Summer
Summer is when landscaping is most heavily utilized. Quality landscaping is noticed – as is poor landscaping.
Mowing and landscape maintenance slow down allowing time to deal with other outdoor maintenance; repair of landscape cracks and bricks, weeding, pruning, and clean-up of areas that may have been neglected. Accumulation of debris and leaves in stairwells, corners and over drains can be dealt with during this period.
By August mowing slows down as rainfall declines. Watering should be more frequent to compensate.
Fall
As leaves change colour and the weather cools, landscaping requirements change.
Autumn plantings commence. Kale and cabbage are popular. They are resistant to pests, look good
and require minimal maintenance. Some choose to plant fall bulbs which may mean removing flowers that still look nice.
All those leaves that fall are great organic material. Blowing leaves into flower beds keeps lawns looking nice while saving money. Dead leaves provide winter insulation for garden plants. When these leaves are removed in the spring, that organic material helps everything grow better.
Winter
This is the quiet season for landscaping other than snow removal and deicing.
Cold winters without snow can be particularly hard on plants. Snow acts as an insulator that protects against the harshest weather. Heaving from the cold can damage plantings. Mulch can help protect against this winter damage and keep plantings from freezing.
